Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Animal Enrichment Day
Jul 30 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

On Animal Enrichment Day, guests will see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. Visitors can enjoy watching demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. Included with admission.

Thursday, July 31, 2025
Slice Comedy Standup Picture Show
Jul 31 @ 7:30 pm
Pulp

THURSDAY JULY 31, 7:30Pm at The Orange Peel PULP
ENJOY standup comedy in a whole new way with picture and videos to go along with the fun in a bourbon bar comedy club! Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Prime Video. Headliner Jordan Julius, winner of Slice Standup Comedy Contest. Featuring hot regional comics Sarah Love, Jason Reel & Lois Adjevi
FREE SNACKS, outside food ok!
Get you tix now, these shows sell out!

Standup Comedy Picture Show

Friday, August 1, 2025
Period Nirvana’s Grand Opening!
Aug 1 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Period Nirvana

Period Nirvana’s Grand Opening Celebration!

Stop by our new space filled with thoughtfully curated menstrual care products and our museum exhibit featuring 100 years of period technology.

Come support your local (and only) period store- we can’t wait to see you there!

All Day Fun Friday: 11am-7pm Join us on Friday for our Official Grand Opening. Period Nirvana will have a goodie bag full of some of our favorite wellness treats for the first 10 people who visit our store. We will have light refreshments for our guests in store while they browse.

Sweet Treat Alert: From 4:30-6:30pm, enjoy soft serve ice cream from Sweet Cub right outside the store. Ice cream is on us for the first 100 guests. It’s our way of saying thanks for showing up!

Afterparty: 8pm-? After we close the store, we’ll be heading over to Archetype Brewing for some “Time of the Month” trivia! Come test your knowledge on all things period + uterus and enjoy a drink with us!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Asheville Spartan Social
Aug 1 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Triumph OCR Training Center

In town for the Spartan Race? Enjoy a fun social time or try out some obstacles with fellow Spartans at Triumph, Asheville’s premier OCR Training Center! Music, vendors, and snacks provided! Outside food welcome. RSVP via text or email: 206-931-5868 [email protected]

A Mid-Summer Night White Party
Aug 1 @ 6:00 pm
The Orange Peel

A Mid-Summer Night White Party

Featuring HOPE 4 the Future students, Freeflow, Virtuous and the John R. Hayes High-Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps

You’re Invited!

Event Theme: “We Are All One”

Dress Code: All White- Semi Formal

$25 General Admission

Free for youth participating in any summer program- as long as they are wearing white.

Raffle: Includes 1 ticket with admission. More tickets available at the door. 3 prizes will be drawn!

 

 

Friday, August 8, 2025
Concerts in the Park – Soul Blue
Aug 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cecil Park (in front of Hickory Tavern)

End your week on a high note and join us every second Friday this summer for free live music in Biltmore Park Town Square! Bring your friends and family to dance, play games, and enjoy eats and treats from Biltmore Park restaurants.

“Soul Blue” is a charismatic and entertaining classic Soul/Blues/R&B band whose five members hail from both Asheville, NC and Atlanta, GA. These seasoned musicians come together from a variety of popular bands such as: Daddy’s Money, The XL’s, Banks and Shane, and a good many more; enabling them to create an authentic approach to the music of many best-loved Soul, Blues, and R&B artists.

7th Annual Light Up the Night 5K
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm
Carrier Park

The 7th Annual Light Up the Night 5K is set for Friday, August 8 th , 2025, and there’s still time
to register for this fun and meaningful event supporting Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM).
This glow-in-the-dark evening fundraiser brings the community together to walk or run to support life transformation for
the homeless, poor, and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. WCRM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
meeting people in crisis, helping them at their point of need, investing in their future, and walking alongside them until
they can move forward.
The Light Up the Night 5K will take place at Asheville’s Carrier Park, starting at 7:00 p.m., with packet pickup
beginning at 5:30 p.m. Timed by Finish Well Timing, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, regardless
of race, ethnicity, gender, or faith. All proceeds will directly benefit WCRM’s programs and services, which provide
shelter, recovery programs, meals, and long-term support to those in need.

Saturday, August 9, 2025
Junior Naturalist Day
Aug 9 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain’s Junior Ranger Program is now the Junior Naturalist Program — a new program for our new Conservation Campus! Activities throughout the day will be provided specifically for children ages 5-12 to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather has to offer.

Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 9 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

Tanger Outlets Asheville Celebrates New School Year with Back-To-School Bash and Shoe Collection Drive, Aug. 9
Aug 9 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tanger Outlets Asheville

Tanger Outlets Asheville invites shoppers to kick-off the start of the school season in style with its Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 9 from noon – 3 p.m. Families can celebrate their scholars with an array of fun-filled activities, including appearances by Ted. E Tourist and Rocky the UNC Asheville Bulldog, free drink samples provided by Pepsi Cola and free photos by TapSnap Phototainment.

As part of the celebration, Tanger Asheville is teaming up with Mountain Hope for the Kicks for Class New Shoe Collection Drive, benefiting students at Owen Middle School who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. A school bus will be parked near Sportsman’s Warehouse during the event to collect 450 pairs of new shoes. Guests are encouraged to donate new shoes in the following sizes: 3.5-7 youth for girls; 6-9 for women; 4-7 youth for boys; and 6-8 for men.

Tanger Asheville delivers even more value with its Summer of Savings program. Through August, the center will offer the community weekly deals on back-to-school essentials and wardrobe refreshes. Shoppers can expect to find some of the deepest discounts of the year at top brands like Nike, Coach, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armour and more.

Sunday, August 10, 2025
Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 10 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

Thursday, August 14, 2025
2025 Mtn. Hort. Field Day
Aug 14 all-day
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center

Join us at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (MHCREC) for our annual Field Day. Since 1949, our station has been a hub of agricultural innovation, with the added addition of Field Day being a long-standing tradition. This year’s event promises an engaging, informative, and hands-on look at the latest in horticultural research and extension activities.

Field Day 2025 will feature a comprehensive showcase of ongoing research programs across a variety of crops such as apples, tomatoes, nursery plants, and other specialty crops. In addition to the featured research, the event will highlight various other projects and initiatives that reflect the breadth of work being done here at MHCREC.

Come for the whole day or drop in for part of it — your choice! Admission is free.

Enjoy a complimentary lunch on us! And of course, don’t miss the chance to make your own fresh tomato sandwich right in the field!

We look forward to welcoming growers, researchers, students, and community members alike for a day of learning, networking, and celebration of agricultural innovation.

Friday, August 15, 2025
Downtown After 5
Aug 15 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Join us as we partner with Blue Ridge Pride for a 90s Country-themed Downtown After 5! Featuring headliner Mustache the Band and opener Shakey’s Live Band Karaoke. Show off your style in our Best Boots Contest or channel your inner queen in the Dolly Parton Lookalike Competition for a chance to win fun prizes!

Downtown After 5 is more than just a concert series—it’s a community staple that celebrates the diversity and creativity of Asheville. Each event is free to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of between 5,000 to 6,000 attendees. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site alongside a marketplace component where attendees can explore and shop handmade crafts from local makers. Join us at Pack Square Park for these unforgettable evenings of music, community, and celebration.

Saturday, August 16, 2025
Bodhi Fest
Aug 16 all-day
Asheville Community Theater

The first annual Bodhi Fest, a Buddhist Arts and Film Festival at Asheville Community Theatre on August 16th, 2025 will be a day of illumination as we explore the gladdening qualities of the human spirit ranging from sweet solitude to ecstatic joy. The program will consist of Buddhist films + Q&A, shorts, a dance workshop, a songwriting workshop, musical performances and more. Crafts, art and food from Buddhist sanghas, artists and local vendors will be shared in the front lobby during the festival.

Enjoy an event of immersion in compassionate-wisdom activities that provoke insight and lift the spirit.

Sunday, August 17, 2025
Vegan Market Asheville
Aug 17 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Bridge & Tunnel Cafe at A-B Tech Coman Center

Come join us at the Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Cafe at the Coman Center at A-B Tech for a wonderful day filled with good food and good people. We are so excited to have local vegan vendors get together and show you what they’ve got. You can stop by and get some treats to go or, even better, hang out with us for a while. There will be plenty of seating for eating and socializing. Find out more on Instagram and Facebook @vgnmkt
The event is indoors and is Rain or Shine. There will be some food trucks right out front.
Hours are 11:00 – 3:00.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. It’s a vegan party & you’re invited!

Monday, August 18, 2025
Vagabonds In The Vineyard
Aug 18 @ 5:30 pm
Marked Tree Vineyard

Join us for an enchanting evening at the
Flat Rock Playhouse Annual Gala,

“Vagabonds In The Vineyard!”
This year, we’re bringing the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean to the beautiful

Monday, August 18th

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Marked Tree Vineyards,

623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC

Call the DEVO office at 828-693-0403 ext. 205 
Premier Table Seating
$250 per person

– Guaranteed seat at one of our limited reserved tables
– perfect for sitting with friends.

– Two complimentary drink tickets.
– Prime location close to the evening’s entertainment
– featuring various artists and performers from the Flat Rock Playhouse.


General Admission
$125 per person

– Seating on the scenic terrace of Marked Tree Vineyards
– One complimentary drink ticket.
– Enjoy the entertainment and ambiance of the evening.

Reserved seating is limited for the Premier Table option, so book early!
Dinner:

Indulge in a delectable array of dishes from

the curated food stations provided by

Evening Schedule:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Check-in and Happy Hour
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner served from food stations

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Silent Auction open for bidding
7:30 PM: Entertainment featuring Flat Rock Playhouse artists and performers
8:30 PM: Final Encore

Dress Code:
Embrace the spirit of the Mediterranean!

We encourage you to wear light, flowing attire suitable for strolling

the charming streets of Mykonos or Santorini. Think chic and comfortable.

Saturday, August 23, 2025
HarvestFest Supporting ASAP
Aug 23 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Olivette Riverside Community and Farm

Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Saturday August 23rd for a very special benefit show in support of ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. Doors open at 3pm with family games and activities and live music.
In honor of our local farmers and all they do to sustain our community, all farmers and their families will have free entry to the event. All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.

Sunday, August 24, 2025
RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival
Aug 24 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival

August 24th 2025 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins and Uproar Concept are hosting, RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival, taking place on August 24 in Asheville, NC. A portion of proceeds from the one-day event will benefit two local conservation nonprofits: RiverLink & MountainTrue. Both have been vital to recovery efforts in WNC. Borne from Blue Lines, which supports fly fishing guides in Western North Carolina and Tennessee, will host a guide expo during the event in an effort to help them rebuild their customer base after Hurricane Helene.

The riverfront Wrong Way (9 Midnight Drive, on Amboy Road) will host RISE which will be free and open to the public and include activities like casting and fly-tying competitions, clinics, kid-friendly programming, raffles, and shoppable A-frame cabin “takeovers” by outdoor brands. Festival goers will enjoy an eclectic mix of live music in the Wrong Way Meadow and food and drinks from Imposter Pizza Co., Chop Shop Butchery, and featured local breweries.

Thursday, August 28, 2025
SART’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament
Aug 28 @ 8:30 am
Springdale Golf Course

Gather a team and get ready to spend the day playing 18 holes for our annual, end-of-season Golf Tournament Fundraiser! Hosted at Sprindale Resort in Canton, NC on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, and **NEW THIS YEAR** included in your price of registration is a delicious BBQ Lunch to be served during the Awards Ceremony! Want to play, or interested in becoming a sponsor?

Friday, August 29, 2025
Garden and Adventure Photography
Aug 29 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Garden and Adventure Photography Basics

with Cami Calnan

Friday, August 29  |  10 am – 1 pm

Elevate your photography from the level you are currently working from. In this immersive workshop, we will explore the technical aspects of the camera you photograph with. Bring your phone, your slr or point and shoot digital or film camera, and we will explore the concepts behind taking the kinds of photos you are hoping to capture.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

Saturday, August 30, 2025
Chasing Dragons and Damsels in WNC
Aug 30 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
NC Arboretum

Chasing Dragons and Damsels in WNC

with Shane Myers

Saturday, August 30  |  9 – 10:30am

Dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are some of our most fascinating insects. Come with us as we talk about their natural history, lives, and ecological importance. We’ll go down to Willow Pond and observe some of these enchanting insects in the wild and up close.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

 

Sunday, August 31, 2025
Boomtown Arts & Heritage Festival
Aug 31 all-day
Pack Square Park
Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL proudly announces its return to downtown Asheville, set for August 29-31, 2025, at Pack Square Park. This year’s festival emphasizes community resilience and celebrates the region’s history of rebuilding in the wake of natural disasters. Drawing inspiration from Asheville’s emergence as a vibrant boomtown following “The Great Flood” of 1916, the 2025 festival seeks to support regional recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
The three-day, family-friendly festival will offer a dynamic lineup of musical performances, heritage trail tours, wellness activities, interactive workshops, and local artisans, all aimed at highlighting and preserving Asheville’s unique cultural tapestry. Boomtown FestAVL will feature rich programming designed to engage residents and visitors alike in celebrating the city’s past, present, and future.
Monday, September 1, 2025
NC Apple Festival
Sep 1 all-day
Downtown Hendersonville

Join us on August 29th through September 1st for the 2025 NC Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina, for a fun-filled celebration of apples, local culture, and community spirit. Whether you’re here for the delicious apple-inspired treats, the exciting street fair, or the family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone!

We’re thrilled to bring together over 250,000 visitors each year to celebrate the rich heritage of Henderson County’s apple-growing tradition. From the vibrant parade to live music, and of course, the best apples around, the festival is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss!

We can’t wait to see you at the NC Apple Festival, where community, family, and fun come together in the heart of Hendersonville.

 

Plein Air Painting
Sep 1 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
NC Arboretum

Plein Air Painting

with Erika Busse

Monday, September 1  |  9am – 11am

There is no better way to relax and connect with your creative side and nature than en plein air painting. In this class, artist Erika Busse will teach you how to paint an original Appalachian inspired artwork outside at the beautiful North Carolina Arboretum. She will take you through each step of the painting process, all skill levels are welcomed and all supplies are provided.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Fall at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: U-Pick, Family Fun & Farm Favorites
Sep 2 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC

Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Fall at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: U-Pick, Family Fun & Farm Favorites
Sep 3 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC

Thursday, September 4, 2025
Dine Out for National Wildlife Day
Sep 4 all-day
Various Locations

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, a Western North Carolina nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, is thrilled to announce its Pawprints & Plates fundraising event. This special “Dine Out for National Wildlife Day” will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with six local establishments supporting the organization’s vital mission.

Community members are invited to dine and drink at any of the participating locations to directly contribute to the care of thousands of wild animals rescued each year.

For the most up-to-date information on participating Pawprints & Plates locations please check Appalachian Wild’s website appalachianwild.org. A list of committed locations are:

  • Thai Pearl – 747 Haywood Road

  • Ivory Road – 1854 Brevard Rd

  • RendezVous – 184 New Haw Creek Rd

  • Bebop Bottle Shop – 723 Haywood Rd #101

  • Copper Crown – 1011 Tunnel Rd #100

  • Burning Blush Brewery – 4891 Boylston Hwy

Fall at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: U-Pick, Family Fun & Farm Favorites
Sep 4 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC

Late Summer Tree ID
Sep 4 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Late Summer Tree ID

with Lauren Lampley

Thursday, September 4  |  1 – 4 pm

Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina found here at the NC Arboretum. We will look at using different characteristics including habitat, bark, buds, growth pattern, leaf shape, and fruit/nut shape to identify trees.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

 

Friday, September 5, 2025
NC Mountain State Fair
Sep 5 all-day
WNC Ag Center

The NC Mountain State Fair, September 5th-14th, 2025, is a truly memorable family event that offers top-notch entertainment, food, fun, and exhibits, that focuses on the region’s deep agricultural roots.